It is amazing what a group of smart, dedicated people can accomplish. I am so happy with PPLT and its good work building lasting legacies since 2001. PPLT will continue to thrive because of its board and volunteers who show up, learn the complexities of land trust work and make wise decisions to protect open space for the future.

— Joan Russell, previous Board Vice-President

BOARD ACTIVITY

Our Board meets every quarter, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Board members volunteer their time and resources to support and advance PPLT’s mission. If you are interested in serving on our Board, please consider attending a board meeting or two and review our Board Member Application.

Who we are

The mission to continue into perpetuity may sound tough to some. For our board members, it is a mission that is taken to heart and moved toward daily. This small but mighty team that has come together to serve our community with dedication and knowledge. Read more about them below:

President

Maria Alonso, Travis County. Maria's expertise includes sustainable resources, recycling, green building and water conservation. Maria is expert in social media, volunteer coordination and web design. She works for the City of Austin. Her family of three live in Austin but claim the world as their home. BA, Geography, University of Texas.

Vice-President - interim Treasurer

L. David Vogel, Fayette County. David is a retired Licensed Real Estate Broker. He owns land southwest of La Grange in Fayette County, where he has been restoring the native vegetation for wildlife habitat for many years. He is a Certified Texas Master Naturalist and has served on the PPLT board since 2007. BBA, Marketing, University of Texas.

Secretary

Luci Cook, Bastrop County. Luci is our newest Board member and brings with her experience in aquatic biology, education, grant management and outreach. She and her husband own a small business, Stregare Cheesecake Company. Luci also works as an educator for McKinney Roughs LCRA Park. She also serves on the Mississippi River Basin Panel, holding a co-chair position on the Panel and chair of the education/outreach committee. Luci previously worked at TPWD as an expert on aquatic invasives. MS, Aquatic Biology, Texas State University.

Board Members

Arlene Kalmbach, Lee County. Arlene works for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a private lands biologist. She and her husband own and live on their land in Lee County with their twin sons. Besides Texas land and wildlife management skills, Arlene brings with her experience in grant writing, agriculture, habitat restoration and program management skills. MS, Wildlife Biology, Texas State University.

Staff

Executive Director

Melanie Pavlas, Caldwell County. Melanie is a Caldwell County landowner and has extensive experience in environmental biology and wildlife conservation, including bird surveys, endangered species permitting, monitoring and conservation, wildlife management and land management. Melanie has an extensive background in technical and regulatory guidance with regard to project impacts on wildlife and protected resources and how to mitigate those impacts. BS, Environmental Biology, University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Part-time assistant director

Wilynn Formeller. Wilynn is a native Texan and grew up on a ranch in Bandera. She has broad experience in land and wildlife management, conducting biological censuses including bird surveys, territory mapping, vegetation surveys, etc. Wilynn also has experience as an event planner and marketer. She currently lives in Loveland, Colorado with her three boys and husband and also works for a startup company there offering community office space. MS, Wildlife Ecology, Texas State University.